Writing Implement Case With Concealed Connecting Seam

ABSTRACT

A container for receiving at least one writing implement, wherein the container has at least one wall (W) element which is made from a flat material, wherein, when the container is in the finished condition, the one side of the wall element (W) forms a container inside and the other side forms a container outside and wherein at least a part of its edges the wall element (W) has a first connecting portion ( 30 ) whose edge part is angled with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element ( 30 ). It is further provided that at least a part of its edges the wall element (W) has a second connecting portion ( 32; 34 ) which is of a congruent configuration with respect to the first connecting portion ( 30 ) in such a way that when the first connecting portion ( 30 ) is connected to the second connecting portion ( 32; 34 ) to form at least a part of the container wall the edge part of the first connecting portion ( 30 ) is covered over with respect to the outside of the container wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a container for receiving at least one writing implement, comprising at least one wall element which is made from a flat material, wherein, when the container is in the finished condition, the one side of the wall element forms a container inside and the other side forms a container outside and wherein at least a part of its edges the wall element has a first connecting portion whose edge part is angled with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element.

Quite different and in part contradictory demands are made on containers of that kind. Thus on the one hand the container is to be inexpensive to produce and it is to be capable of being filled by machine. On the other hand, as the container serves for presentation of the writing implements accommodated therein, it is to be esthetically attractive and in particular is not to cause any injury to the user of the writing implements. It is precisely this latter aspect that is in conflict with the requirement for inexpensive manufacture. To reduce costs containers of that kind are frequently produced from one or more wall elements of a flat material which is subjected to a deep drawing operation and a stamping operation. In particular the stamping operation produces at the edges of the container sharp edge portions which can cause injuries both to the employees of the manufacturer of the writing implements and the sales person and also to those purchasing or using the writing implements who are frequently children. In order to be able to satisfy the demand for “high load-bearing capacity” in respect of those containers, the edge of the wall elements is frequently angled outwardly out of the plane of the flat material so that this causes an increase in the risk of injury.

German laid-open application No 102 28 316 discloses a container of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification in which the stamped edges are set into the interior of the container to avoid injury in production of the container. However that solution which in itself reliably prevents injury gives rise to a complicated production procedure which is in conflict with the requirement for inexpensive manufacture of such containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a container of the kind set forth above, which can produced inexpensively and which in a simple reliable manner prevents injury at the edges of the container.

The foregoing object is attained by providing a container receiving at least one writing implement, comprising at least one wall element (W) which is made from a flat material, wherein, when the container is in the finished condition, the one side of the wall element (W) forms a container inside and the other side forms a container outside, wherein at least a part of its edges the wall element (W) has a first connecting portion (30) whose edge part is angled with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W) and wherein the first connecting portion (30) is welded (connected by joining of the materials involved) to the second connecting portion (32; 34), characterized in that the edge part of the first connecting portion (30) is angled at least approximately through 90° with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W) towards the outside of the finished container and that at least a further part of its edges the wall element (W) has a second connecting portion (32; 34) which is designed in matching relationship with respect to the first connecting portion (30) in such a way that when the first connecting portion (30) is connected to the second connecting portion (32; 34) to form at least a part of the container wall the edge part of the first connecting portion (30) is covered with respect to the outside of the container wall.

The configuration of the second connecting portion, being in congruent relationship with the first connecting portion, in such a way that, when the first connecting portion is connected to the second connecting portion, to form at least a part of the container wall, the edge part of the first connecting portion is covered over with respect to the outside of the container wall by the second connecting portion reliably avoids injury to a person picking up the container at the sharp edge part produced during the stamping operation or a comparable operation. So that the second connecting portion can cover the edge part of the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion is not only in congruent relationship with the first connecting portion but it is also in a congruent arrangement at the one or more wall elements which together form the container. In that respect coverage by the second connecting portion can be effected depending on the nature of the angular configuration of the first connecting portion. It is preferred, in regard to the angled configuration of the first connecting portion, that the edge part of the first connecting portion is angled at least approximately through 90° with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element.

Coverage of the edge part of the first connecting portion by the second connecting portion can be effected in quite different ways. Thus on the one hand there is the possibility that the second connecting portion forms a Z-shaped stepping out of the plane of the flat material, the depth of which is at least equal to and preferably greater than the height of the angled configuration of the edge part of the first connecting portion, with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element. In other words, the second connecting portion, at an edge of the wall element, forms a recess which is of Z-shaped configuration in cross-section and in which the angled edge part of the first connecting portion can be accommodated when connecting the one or more wall elements. As the depth of the Z-shaped stepping of the second connecting portion is such that it is equal to but preferably greater than the height of the angled configuration of the first connecting portion, the sharp-edged edge part of the first connecting portion cannot be touched by the user of the container so that injury is reliably avoided.

The latter applies in particular when the angled configuration of the first connecting portion is accommodated in the stepping of the second connecting portion in such a way that the first connecting portion bears with the angled edge part in close contact against the Z-shaped stepping of the second connecting portion. So that this is possible, it is further advantageous if the free edge portion of the Z-shaped stepping extends at least approximately parallel to the plane of the flat material of the wall element. In that way, that part of the first connecting portion which is not angled with respect to the plane of the flat material is confinedly accommodated in the second connecting portion.

In order further to permit sealing contact of the first connecting portion with the angled configuration in the second connecting portion, it is further advantageous if at least one of the two angles of the Z-shaped stepping is at least approximately 90°. If both angles of the Z-shaped stepping are in the form of 90° angles, then in the case of a first connecting portion with a first limb extending out of the plane of the flat material and with a second limb angled from said first limb through 90° and terminating in the free end of the corresponding wall portion, the first connecting portion can be accommodated completely and sealingly through 90° in the Z-shaped stepping of the second connecting portion.

A further possible way of avoiding injury by virtue of a congruent configuration in respect of the second connecting portion with respect to the first connecting portion provides that the second connecting portion has an outward curvature portion which bulges out towards the outside of the wall element and the depth of which is at least equal to and preferably greater than the height of the angled configuration of the edge part of the first connecting portion with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element. In other words the outward curvature portion fits over the edge part of the first connecting portion and in so doing protects the users of the container from injury at that sharp edge.

The outward bulge portion or curvature portion can involve different shapes, as long as it is ensured that the limb, which is angled through 90°, of the first connecting portion is completely accommodated in the outward curvature portion.

Preferably the outward curvature portion is in cross-section at least approximately in the shape of a segment of a circle.

In principle the free end of the outward curvature portion can stand up on the first connecting portion or another portion of the flat wall element. In order however to be able to permit a good connection between the first and second connecting portions, it is further preferred if the outward curvature portion at the free end portion extends at least approximately parallel to the plane of the flat material.

As has already been mentioned hereinbefore, the container according to the invention can be made up of a plurality of wall elements. It is however preferred if the container according to the invention is made from a single wall element. The first and the second connecting portions can be arranged in dependence on how then the single wall element is respectively shaped to afford the container. If for example production of the container is effected in such a way that it is bent in a direction perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the first and second connecting portions, it is advantageous if the first connecting portion is provided at least one first edge of the wall element and the second connecting portion is provided at a second edge in opposite relationship to the first edge at least in portion-wise manner. If in comparison the single wall element is bent in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the first and second connecting portions, it is advantageous if the first connecting portion adjoins at least a first edge of the wall element and the second connecting portion adjoins a second edge of the wall element, which is in adjoining relationship in the longitudinal extent of the wall element, at least in portion-wise manner.

In principle the connection of the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion can be effected by any known connecting process involving joining of the materials involved. Thus it is in principle possible for the first connecting portion to be connected to the second connecting portion by an adhesive process. It is preferred however that, in the finished condition of the container, the first connecting portion is welded to the second connecting portion.

Different materials can be used for the flat material of the wall element. It is preferable for the one wall element to be produced at least from a film. In that respect the film can be a deep drawing film.

There is also the possibility of the wall element being made from plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic material. This can involve in particular a PET or PVC.

The thickness of the flat material of the wall element can be selected according to the needs which are imposed on the container for the function thereof. It is preferable for the thickness of the wall element to be between 200 and 400 μm.

As has been mentioned hereinbefore the container according to the invention can be produced by a wall element or from a plurality of wall elements. If the container is formed only from one wall element by folding the individual portions of that wall element, it is advantageous if there is provided at least one bending hinge for folding the single wall element. It will be appreciated that bending hinges of that kind can also be provided in relation to a plurality of wall elements which together form a container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantageous configurations and embodiments by way of example are described hereinafter with reference to the drawing. In this connection it is to be noted that the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “bottom” and “top” used in describing the embodiments by way of example relate to the Figures in their orientation with the references and Figure legends being normally readable. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a wall element of flat material for a container according to the invention after a deep drawing and stamping operation,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view in cross-section of a container according to the invention produced from the wall element shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in cross-section similar to FIG. 2 of a second embodiment of the container according to the invention,

FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic plan view of a wall element, produced from a flat material, of a third embodiment of the container according to the invention,

FIG. 4B is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 4A,

FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention, and

FIG. 5B shows a view on an enlarged scale of the detail indicated at E in FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the cut blank of a wall element W which serves for the production of a container according to the invention and which is formed from a PET film of a wall thickness of about 250 μm. The PET film is subjected to a deep drawing and stamping operation to produce the wall element W.

The wall element W has a plurality of wall segments 10, 12, 14 and 16, more specifically a front wall segment 10, a rear wall segment 12, two side wall segments 14, 16, a bottom segment 18 and a closure flap segment 20. The two side wall segments 14, 16 are in the form of wings in the plan view of FIG. 1 and are of equal size and are of a symmetrical configuration relative to the longitudinal center line (not shown) of the wall element W. In addition the side wall segments 14, 16 are of a curved configuration as can be seen from FIG. 2. The front wall segment 10 and the rear wall segment 12 are each of a rectangular shape of approximately equal width, the term width meaning the horizontal dimension of those wall segments 14, 16. In comparison, the front wall segment 10 is of a shorter length in relation to the rear wall segment 12, in which respect the term length means the vertical dimension of those wall segments 14, 16. The bottom segment 18 is in turn of elongate oval shape whereas the closure flap segment 20 is in the shape of a trapezium with rounded edges. It is also to be observed that the plan view in FIG. 1 is a plan view of the sides of the wall segments 10, 12,14, 16, 18, which are the inwardly facing sides in the finished container.

The two side wall segments 14, 16 are arranged in the widthwise direction of the wall element W to the left and the right respectively of the front wall segment 10 whereas the front wall segment 10 and the rear wall segment 12 are connected by way of the bottom segment 18. The closure flap segment 20 adjoins the upper end of the rear wall segment 12.

To form the container body, that is to say in particular the hollow space in the container for receiving one or more writing implements which are not illustrated in greater detail, the individual wall segments 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 of the wall element W can be folded along bending hinges 22, 24, 26, 28. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the bending hinges 22, 24, 26, 28 are formed by outward curvature portions in the film of the wall element W, which bulge in the direction of the inside of the finished container, they are arranged between the individual wall segments 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 of the wall element W and they respectively extend over the full length or width respectively of the respective wall segment 10, 12, 14, 16, 18. As can be seen from FIG. 1 the bending hinges 22, 24, 26, 28 extend horizontally and vertically relative to each other and therefore intersect at a right angle. The individual wall segments 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 can be bent over or folded relative to each other along the bending hinges 22, 24, 26, 28 so that the result is a container which, in cross-section, as can also be seen from FIG. 2, is of an elongate oval shape as a consequence of the outwardly curved configurations of the side walls 14, 16.

In order to obtain a permanently closed container the left-hand edge of the side wall segment 14 and the right-hand edge of the side wall segment 16 are in the form of a first connecting portion 30. The first connecting portion 30 has a limb 30 a which extends out of the plane of the flat material of the wall element W and a limb 30 b which adjoins said limb 30 a in the direction of the free end of the respective side wall segment 14, 16 and which is angled with respect to that limb 30 a through 90° towards the outside of the finished container (see FIG. 2). The outwardly facing limb 30 b has a comparatively sharp edge portion as a consequence of the stamping operation with which the wall element W has been stamped out of a PET film web material. As can be seen from FIG. 1 the first connecting portion 30 respectively extends over the entire length of each of the side wall segments 14, 16.

In order to prevent injury to the user of the container at the sharp edges of the outwardly projecting limbs 30 b of the first connecting portions 30, the rear wall segment 12 has two second connecting portions 32 which extend substantially parallel to each other. The second connecting portions 32 are respectively formed by an outward curvature portion which bulges out of the plane of the PET film of the wall element W in the direction of the outside of the finished container, as can be seen from FIG. 2. The second connecting portions 32 are therefore arranged in position in congruent relationship with the position of the first connecting portions 30 at the rear wall segment 12.

The region of the rear wall segment 12 from the actual outward curvature portion or bulge portion 32 to its free end forms a horizontal limb 32 a which serves for fixing the rear wall segment 12 to the side wall segments 14, 16 by means of a welding operation. As can be seen from FIG. 2 the outward curvature portion 32 in cross-section is at least approximately in the shape of a semicircular segment denoted by reference numeral 32 b. The semicircular segment 32 b is of such a depth that the 90°-angled limb 30 b of the first connecting portion 30 can be embraced by the curvature portion 32 of the second connecting portion 32. When the container is assembled the limb 32 a of the second connecting portion 32, which extends horizontally or in parallel relationship with the extent of the flat material of the wall element W, lies on the horizontally extending limb 30 a of the first connecting portion 30. The horizontal limb 30 a of the first connecting portion 30 and the horizontal limb 32 a of the second connecting portion 32 are then joined together by a welding operation. Optionally, it is also possible for the limb 32 b which extends vertically or is angled through 90° to be fixed within the semicircular segment 32 b of the second connecting portion 32 by a welding operation.

FIGS. 3A through 5B show further advantageous configurations of the present invention. As these embodiments are similar to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, hereinafter only the differences in relation to that embodiment will be discussed.

The second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 3, differs from the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 insofar as, instead of two first connecting portions 30, at the left-hand and right-hand side wall segments 14, 16 respectively and two second connecting portions 32 in congruent relationship therewith at the rear wall segment 12, only the left side wall segment 14 is provided with a first connecting portion 30 and the left-hand edge of the rear wall segment 12 with a second connecting portion 32. Instead of the first connecting portion 30 at the right-hand edge of the side wall segment 16, disposed there is a further bending hinge 34 which connects the side wall segment 16 to the rear wall segment 12. In this embodiment the bottom segment 18 can then be provided with at least one first connecting portion 30, whereas the front wall segment 10 and the rear wall segment 12 can then each have individually or jointly a second connecting portion 32 so that this once again affords a container body which is closed except for the upper opening which is closed by the closure flap segment 20.

The blank of the third embodiment of a container according to the invention, which is shown in a plan view in FIG. 4A, is illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 4B. In contrast to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 the third embodiment is only provided with a first and a second connecting portion 30, 32 respectively. In this case the first connecting portion 30 is of an identical structure to the first connecting portion 30 of the first embodiment. In contrast thereto the second connecting portion is in the form of a Z-shaped stepping 34 in the direction of the inside of the container, wherein the letter “Z” is formed in such a way that a limb 34 a which is angled through 90° into the interior of the container and which extends vertically and an adjoining horizontally extending limb 34 b which is also angled through 90° from that limb 34 a extends to the free end, out of the plane of the flat material of the rear wall segment 12 which forms the first limb (not identified) of the “Z”. As can be seen from the detail in FIG. 5B the depth of the stepping 34 of the second connecting portion is so selected that the vertical limb 30 b of the first connecting portion 30 is received by the stepping 34 and bears against the vertically extending limb 34 a of the stepping 34. In addition the horizontally extending limb 30 a of the first connecting portion 30 bears against the horizontally extending limb 34 b of the stepping 34 and can be fixed thereto by means of a weld. It will be appreciated that, supplemental thereto or as an alternative thereto, the two vertically extending limbs 30 b, 34 a of the first connecting portion 30 and the stepping 34 respectively can be welded together.

As the height of the outwardly angled limb 30 b of the first connecting portion 30 is less than the height of the vertically extending limb 34 a of the stepping 34, injury at the sharp edge of the limb 30 b of the first connecting portion 30 is also avoided in this third embodiment. 

1. A container for receiving at least one writing implement, comprising at least one wall element (W) which is made from a flat material, wherein, when the container is in the finished condition, the one side of the wall element (W) forms a container inside and the other side forms a container outside, wherein at least a part of its edges the wall element (W) has a first connecting portion (30) whose edge part is angled with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W) and wherein the first connecting portion (30) is welded (connected by joining of the materials involved) to the second connecting portion (32; 34), wherein the edge part of the first connecting portion (30) is angled at least approximately through 90° with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W) towards the outside of the finished container and that at least a further part of its edges the wall element (W) has a second connecting portion (32; 34) which is designed in matching relationship with respect to the first connecting portion (30) in such a way that when the first connecting portion (30) is connected to the second connecting portion (32; 34) to form at least a part of the container wall the edge part of the first connecting portion (30) is covered with respect to the outside of the container wall.
 2. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion forms a Z-shaped stepping (34) out of the plane of the flat material, the depth of which is at least equal to and preferably greater than the height of the angled configuration of the edge part of the first connecting portion (30), with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W).
 3. A container as set forth in claim 2, wherein the free edge portion of the Z-shaped stepping (34) extends at least approximately parallel to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W).
 4. A container as set forth in claim 3, wherein at least one of the two angles of the Z-shaped stepping (34) is at least approximately 90°.
 5. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion is an outward curvature portion (32) which extends towards the outside of the wall element (W) and the depth of which is at least equal to and preferably greater than the height of the angled configuration of the edge part of the first connecting portion (30) with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W).
 6. A container as set forth in claim 5, wherein the outward curvature portion (32) is in cross-section at least approximately in the shape of a segment of a circle.
 7. A container as set forth in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the outward curvature portion (32) at its free end region extends at least approximately parallel to the plane of the flat material.
 8. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein characterized in that there is provided a single wall element (W) for forming the container, wherein the first connecting portion (30) is provided at least one first edge of the wall element (W) and the second connecting portion (32; 34) is provided at a second edge in opposite relationship to the first edge at least in portion-wise manner.
 9. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided a single wall element (W) for forming the container, wherein the first connecting portion (30) is provided at least a first edge of the wall element (W) and the second connecting portion (32; 34) is provided at a second edge, which is in adjoining relationship in the longitudinal extent of the wall element (W), at least in portion-wise manner.
 10. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein characterized in that the at least one wall element (W) is formed by a film.
 11. A container as set forth in claim 10, wherein the film is a deep-drawing film.
 12. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein characterized in that the thickness of the wall element (W) is between 200 and 400 μm.
 13. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein characterized in that the at least one wall element (W) is of plastic material.
 14. A container as set forth in claim 13, wherein the at least one wall element (W) is of PET or PVC.
 15. A container as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided at least one bending hinge (22, 24, 26, 28) for folding of the wall element (W). 